Crystal River sends seven to state

By LARRY BUGG
Published January 30, 2005

BELLEVIEW - Seven Crystal River girls qualified for state Saturday at the Section 3 girls weightlifting meet.

Lecanto and Citrus each had three girls qualify for the FHSAA state meet, which will be held Feb. 12 at Deland High. Dunnellon's Megan Gilman took third in the 101-pound class and was the only Tiger to qualify.

There were no team scores.

Pirate lifters Courtney Chandler (139 pounds), Ashley Bullion (154) and Quincy Wilson (183) took first place in their respective weight classes. Jacquelyn Seffern (129) and Sara Dampman (169) both placed second. Kari Stanford (199) and Breanna Driver (Unlimited) were third.

Chandler was surprised by her title.

"Not at all," Chandler said when asked if she expected to win. "I got up early and didn't have time to think or worry. I wasn't expecting it at all. I'm still in shock. My total was a personal best."

The team's success didn't surprise Pirates coach Charles Brooks.

"This is one of the hardest-working bunch of girls that I have ever seen in my life," he said. "I didn't have any doubt that they would perform. They came here ready to qualify."

For Lecanto, Jennifer Corriveau (101) and Shanpatha Gatos (183) each placed second and Kim Hargis (154) was third.

"This is good," Corriveau said of placing second. "I've never been against anybody that I had competition with. It was nice having competition. I was nervous. I will be nervous (at state). I could have done better."

"I think the girls are excited," Lecanto coach Bob LeCours said. "We brought a lot of freshmen. They will grow from that. The girls had a good outing this year."

Citrus lifters Kate Ericson (110) and Jennifer Wilburn (119) took second and Shaquilla Grice (129) third.

Wilburn overcame a bad start.

"I'm really proud," Wilburn said. "I scratched my first two jerks. I had a lot of encouragement from my teammates and my coach. This is my first time going to state."

Her coach wasn't surprised with the qualifiers. "I expected those three to go," Citrus coach Doug Patton said.

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:11:11]